Team Penske arrived at Darlington Raceway on Sunday to launch the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series postseason, marking the first stop of the ten‑race Chase for the Championship.
Championship Ambitions Meet Historical Strength
Although Saturday’s on‑track activities were canceled because of weather, NASCAR used the official rulebook to set the starting grid, positioning Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric and Joey Logano at the front of the field for the Southern 500.
Penske’s recent form is formidable, having secured four wins in the past seven events and posted a top‑10 finish in seventeen consecutive races, a streak that fuels confidence as the team pursues a sixth Cup Series championship.
The Southern 500, a 367‑lap race scheduled to start at 5 p.m. ET, will be broadcast live on USA, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Channel 90, before the series travels to Homestead‑Miami Speedway on November 8 to conclude the championship run.